When Josh was arrested for drug trafficking, he could never have imagined that going to prison would turn out to be a positive experience.
Growing up in an abusive home, Josh had never been around positive role models before, so meeting prison chaplains and experiencing their kindness and wisdom was life changing.
Separated from his son, his sense of loss was hardest on days like Christmas and Easter. It was the prison chaplains who gave up their time on these days to visit prisoners so they wouldn’t feel completely alone.
The prison chaplains encouraged Josh as he grew in his faith journey. He started studying Theology and leading church services in his prison block.
On his release from prison, free from addiction and full of faith, Josh joined his local church community and became a personal trainer.
Then he landed his dream job as a metal fabrication engineer, making and creating bridges, and big buildings for malls. He absolutely loves his job, and he’s almost half-way through a four-year apprenticeship.
His church is right across the road from his home and he and his son are treated like family there. Josh has shared his testimony from the pulpit, about his transformation by gaining spiritual freedom during his time incarcerated. He’s a mentor at Crossroads as well.
Josh was also recently the guest speaker in a prison. This was a ‘God moment’, as there was meant to be another ex-inmate speaking alongside him. However, the other former prisoner’s application was rejected, while Josh’s application was granted.
Josh had prayed that his application would be rejected too, as he really didn’t want to ever go back to jail, even to visit. Josh felt like Paul asking God to remove the thorn in his flesh, but God responding, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12).
Josh spends most of his time studying and working six days a week. His remaining time is spent with his son and raising him up which, Josh says, is by far his favourite thing.